iShineInMinistry

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Life in full-time ministry brings with it a whole new understanding of clinging to Jesus at all times. When you constantly have the opportunity to pour into the lives of people around you, counsel, pray, help and reach out to a lost and dying world, you have to make sure you are full of Jesus; otherwise you run the risk of giving people more of you rather than more of the Savior.

Learning and growing with Jesus allows Him to stir up spiritual gifts and give you an opportunity to be used in ways you never thought possible. Yet it always seems as though your world flips upside down as soon as you feel comfortable with the calling that God has placed on your life for full-time ministry. Thus, the cycle begins again as you step into a new aspect of ministry, where you cling desperately to the Lord, hoping that He gets you through each moment and you in turn bless any and everyone you meet.

I think it’s funny that our natural reaction to a new season, new position or a new opportunity seems to be fear. We get nervous, anxious and scared about what could potentially be in store for us and then doubt the God who has called us for such a time as this. The best and most effective way to ever tackle anything ministry throws our way is…prayer!

Mathew 7:7-8

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

We need to ask and allow God to give us wisdom and understanding. We need to seek the Lord and all of His ways so that we know what path to take and how to glorify Him in everything that we do. We have to knock until that open door of ministry is open and a divine appointment is right there waiting for us! The best and first place to always start is with our Lord and Savior. How else can we do what He has asked us unless He guides the way?

The maker of the universe wants to be in the midst of every situation, every opportunity to share a testimony, every Bible study you teach, every retreat that you put on and every part of His working in and through our lives. With that truth in mind, what on earth could we possible be afraid of? If He is there, going before us, giving us instruction and telling us how to do the things that He has shown us to do, what do we really have to fear? He is there; He is everywhere. He will make a way in those times that look impossible. He will give the right answer in the middle of that counseling session. He will give that extra measure of strength when you are jet-lagged and depleted of energy on that mission trip.

Be courageous because of the fact that the Lord our God is with us, no matter what we face in ministry. Trust in Him always and see what a little faith can do as He works.

Are you facing a particularly difficult time in ministry? Are you nervous about some new things God has shown you to do? Are you feeling ill equipped? Pray and ask God to help you see clearly as He directs you in this time.